North Charlotte Today

Panthers General Manager Dan Morgan held a season-ending press conference to address the team's challenges and future plans. Morgan, entering his second offseason in this role, emphasized an "aggressive" approach five times during the discussion.

"I'm not really into quick fixes," Morgan stated. He acknowledged the need for improvement on defense and expressed his intention to explore all avenues—trade, draft, or free agency—to find playmakers. The focus will be on adding talent to bolster the defensive side of the ball.

Morgan reiterated his commitment to retaining key players such as cornerback Jaycee Horn and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. "Jaycee is obviously the focal point of the defense," he said, indicating efforts to secure a long-term deal for Horn. Similarly, he expressed a desire to keep Ekwonu with the team for an extended period.

Although Morgan played linebacker during his career, he recognizes the importance of building a complete roster sustainably. He highlighted quarterback Bryce Young's strong performance in the latter half of the year as a positive development but noted additional needs on offense including another receiving target, a backup quarterback, and a center.

The Panthers faced significant defensive struggles this season, setting records for points allowed and ranking poorly in total yards and rushing yards allowed. Morgan plans to use free agency funds and their No. 8 overall pick to acquire impactful players who can strengthen their defense.

"We have a process; we're going to be really thorough in that process," Morgan explained about drafting top-10 talents who are difference-makers.

Reflecting on their 5-12 record this season, Morgan recognized it was not ideal but saw progress through their competitive performances against playoff teams and ending with two wins out of their last three games. "I feel like we're making a lot of progress," he commented on the team's evolving culture and growing momentum towards success.